Job Details

Job ID: 52897
Department: Kellogg MEDS and Operations
Institution: Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $25.55 per hour
Salary Grade: NEX/15
Posted: December 11, 2025
Appointment Term: One-year appointment, renewable for a second year based on performance

Position Overview

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University invites applications for an Empirical Research Fellow to collaborate with faculty members and Ph.D. students on empirical and theoretical research projects in economics and related fields. Fellows typically work on multiple projects simultaneously and may contribute to every stage of the research life cycle.

This role is ideal for candidates planning to apply to quantitative Ph.D. programs, particularly in Economics, Finance, or related disciplines, and who are interested in pursuing an academic research career. While a background in Economics is beneficial, candidates with strong technical or quantitative training seeking exposure to economics or finance are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Research Project Execution

• Collaborate with multiple faculty members on new and ongoing research projects

• Collect, maintain, validate, and document original research datasets

• Test datasets for integrity and accuracy

• Merge data sources, create new variables, and prepare datasets for analysis

• Perform applied statistical analyses on large datasets

• Write programs to simulate theoretical models or solve constrained optimization problems

• Produce tables, figures, and other research outputs as required

Research Production

• Assist with literature reviews and the development of theoretical economic models

• Review and provide feedback on research paper drafts

Additional Duties

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution by the employment start date

• Strong understanding of applied statistical concepts

• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (e.g., R, Stata, MATLAB, or SAS)

• Strong documentation practices for datasets and program code

• Ability to work independently and solve complex problems

• Demonstrated long-term interest in research in Economics, Finance, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Research Assistant or conducting independent research

• Familiarity with diverse data formats, database structures, and tagging schemas

• Experience with scripting or lower-level programming languages such as Python, Bash, Java, or C

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of theoretical concepts and commonly used datasets in Economics or Finance (preferred but not required)

Application Materials

Applicants should submit the following:

• Cover letter or personal statement outlining academic and career goals, including plans for graduate study and objectives for the fellowship

• CV or résumé

• Most recent college transcripts

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Rate: $25.55 per hour

Northwestern University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive health care and retirement plans

• Tuition discounts

• Professional development and continuing education opportunities

• Work-life balance programs, including flexible work arrangements where possible and support for childcare and eldercare

Additional details are available on Northwestern’s Human Resources website.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Northwestern University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. Applicants who require accommodations during the application or hiring process may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.